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Friday 8th October 2021
Covid outbreak letter for school – Advice to parents
Dear parents,
Over the last two weeks we have been made aware of people in Lower School who have tested positive for COVID 19. We are continuing to monitor the situation and are working closely with Public Health England. This letter is to inform you of the current situation and provide advice on how to support your child. Please be reassured that for most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.
Students and staff who have tested positive are isolating. The small number of children who have been identified as contacts of the confirmed case will have guidance from NHS test and trace and will be advised to take a PCR test. Outbreak control measures are also in place and being kept under review. We will continue to contact parents/staff to inform them of cases within their class bubble/transport via text.
The school remains open and, providing your child remains well, they can continue to attend school as normal. We will keep this under review.
What to do if your child develops symptoms of COVID 19
If your child develops symptoms of COVID-19, you should organise for your child to be tested via the NHS online portal or by calling 119. Your household should isolate until you receive the test results giving the all clear. Fully vaccinated adults, and children and young people aged below 18 years and six months do not need to isolate as close contacts of someone with symptoms, or as a close contact of a confirmed case, but are advised to take additional caution.
Symptoms of COVID 19
The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of:
For most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.
How to stop COVID-19 spreading
There are things you can do to help reduce the risk of you and anyone you live with getting ill with COVID-19
Do:
Further information
Further information is available at
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
and
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/check-if-you-have-coronavirus-symptoms/
Yours sincerely
Caroline Jewell
Headteacher
General letter to all school students / parents / guardians and staff
Advice to All Parents - warn and inform
Dear Parents,
We have been advised by Public Health England that there has been a confirmed case of COVID-19 within the school setting.
We know that you may find this concerning but we are continuing to monitor the situation and are working closely with Public Health England. This letter is to inform you of the current situation and provide advice on how to support your child. Please be reassured that for most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.
The school setting remains open and your child should continue to attend as normal if they remain well. We encourage household members that are aged 11 and over to continue with twice weekly LFD testing to help identify cases promptly.
If you think your child is a close contact but has not have not been contacted directly by NHS Test and Trace please follow the guidance here https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-for-contacts-of-people-with-possible-or-confirmed-coronavirus-covid-19-infection-who-do-not-live-with-the-person/guidance-for-contacts-of-people-with-possible-or-confirmed-coronavirus-covid-19-infection-who-do-not-live-with-the-person#i-think-i-have-had-contact-with-someone-who-has-tested-positive-for-covid-19-but-i-have-not-been-notified-and-advised-to-self-isolate-what-should-i-do
What to do if your child develops symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) or tests positive for COVID-19
If your child develops symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), they should get a PCR test and remain at home at least until the result is known. If negative, the child can end self-isolation; if positive, the child should isolate until at least 10 days after their symptoms appeared. Symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are a new, continuous cough, or a high temperature, or a loss of, or change in, their normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia). If the child has a positive test result but do not have symptoms, they should stay at home and self-isolate for 10 days from the date the positive test was taken. This isolation period will be extended if they go on to develop symptoms by counting 10 full days from the day following their symptom onset. Anyone with symptoms will be eligible for a PCR test (the normally available test type) and this can be arranged via Get a free PCR test to check if you have coronavirus (COVID-19) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) or by calling 119.
Instructions for people who live in the same household as someone with COVID-19 (tested positive or symptomatic awaiting a test result)
From 16 August, you will not be required to self-isolate if you are a contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 and any of the following apply:
Fully vaccinated means that you have been vaccinated with an MHRA approved COVID-19 vaccine in the UK, and at least 14 days have passed since you received the recommended doses of that vaccine.
NHS Test and Trace will contact you to let you know that you have been identified as a contact and check whether you are legally required to self-isolate. If you are not legally required to self-isolate, you will be provided with advice on testing and given guidance on preventing the spread of COVID-19. Even if you do not have symptoms, you will be advised to have a PCR test as soon as possible.
Any member of the household who is aged 18 years and 6 months or over and has only received one dose of COVID-19 vaccine or has not received any dose of the COVID-19 vaccination will still be required to self-isolate as household contact of a someone with COVID-19 symptoms awaiting testing and someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. Please read the stay at home guidance which provides information on this.
Household members who are not exempt from isolation as close contacts should not go to work, school/college/childcare/education setting or public areas, and exercise should be taken within the home. If you require help with buying groceries, other shopping or picking up medication, or walking a dog, you should ask friends or family. Alternatively, you can order your shopping online and medication by phone or online. Household members staying at home for 10 days will greatly reduce the overall amount of infection the household could pass on to others in the community.
You could be fined if you do not self-isolate following a notification by NHS Test and Trace. You may be entitled to a one-off payment of £500 through the NHS Test and Trace Support Payment scheme if you are required to stay at home and self-isolate or you are the parent or guardian of a child who has been told to self-isolate.
Those who are clinically extremely vulnerable should be supported to minimise their contact with other people in the household during this period, regardless of whether others have symptoms or not.
Instructions for household contacts who are not required to self-isolate from 16 August
Even if you are vaccinated, you can still be infected with COVID-19 and pass it on to others. If you are identified as a contact of someone with COVID-19 but you are not required to self-isolate, you can help protect others by following the guidance on how to stay safe and help prevent the spread. As well as getting a PCR test, you may also consider:
You should follow this advice while the person in your household with COVID-19 is self-isolating.
If you are a health or social care worker or a student undertaking a work placement who has been identified as a household contact and are exempt from self-isolation, there is additional guidance available that you should follow to reduce the risk of spread of COVID-19 in these settings.
If you develop symptoms at any time, even if these are mild, self-isolate immediately, arrange to have a COVID-19 PCR test and follow the guidance for people with COVID-19 symptoms.
For most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.
If your child does develop symptoms, you can seek advice from the nhs.uk website at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/check-if-you-have-coronavirus-symptoms/. If you are concerned about your child’s symptoms, or they are worsening you can seek advice from NHS 111 at https://111.nhs.uk/ or by phoning 111.
How to stop coronavirus (COVID-19) spreading
There are things you can do to help reduce the risk of you and anyone you live with getting ill with coronavirus (COVID-19):
Further Information
Further information is available at
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
Yours sincerely
Headteacher
07 September 2021
Covid-19 Update Autumn term 2021
Following the letter that was sent out at the end of the summer term. I wanted to provide an update on the arrangements for the beginning of the Autumn term 2021. The Government is clear that SEN schools should be open, therefore all pupils and staff should attend their education setting.
You will have seen in the press that due to the high rates of COVID infection being seen currently, the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly, Devon, Plymouth and Torbay areas have been moved to an Enhanced Response Area (ERA) by central government. This will be in place for 5 weeks initially but will be reviewed after 4 weeks.
It is important to highlight that Trust Schools and Area Resource Bases will continue to operate and ensure that the wellbeing, health and safety of pupils and staff remains the priority.
To confirm, Trust Schools and Area Resource Bases will;
To provide reassurance, I thought I would outline the approach that all the Trust’s Schools and Area Resource Bases will adopt from the beginning of the Autumn Term 2021;
If your child develops symptoms of COVID-19 at any time, however mild, please isolate as a household and book a test for the person with symptoms (even if they have already taken a test). Symptoms of COVID-19 are:
You can book a test through https://www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test or by calling 119.
If the test is negative, your child can return to school/ARB setting once they are well and have been fever free (without the support of paracetamol or Calpol) for at least 24 hours.
If the test is positive only unvaccinated members of your household over the age of 18 years must self-isolate for 10 days from the date symptoms started. If other household members become unwell they need to extend their isolation period.
Those who are clinically extremely vulnerable should be supported to minimise their contact with other people in the household during this period, regardless of whether others have symptoms or not.
There are things you can do to help reduce the risk of you and anyone you live with getting ill with COVID-19;
Do
Further information is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection
If you are concerned about your child’s symptoms or they are worsening, you can seek advice from NHS 111 at https://111.nhs.uk/ or by phoning 111. For most people, Coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.
Trust Schools and Area Resource Bases continue to liaise with Public Health England and to follow Government Guidance. There is a lot of national information and communication messages which can be confusing and there is a lot of misinformation. It is important that, if you are anxious or have any questions, concerns or queries, you contact your school and the Headteacher will answer any questions, provide support and / or guidance. School staff will provide information regularly and, when required, urgent updates should there be positive tests in schools/ARBS with details of the action that is being taken.
Please follow the usual procedures to report to school if your child will be absent.
Thank you for your ongoing support, patience and cooperation.
Yours sincerely
Guy Chappell
Director
The Special Partnership Trust
20 July 2021
Covid-19 Update 2021
Following the recent Government announcement and news reports, I wanted to provide an update on the arrangements for the rest of this term and the beginning of the Autumn term 2021.
The Trust Schools and Area Resource Bases will remain open and operating as usual and unchanged until the end of term. It is important to highlight that Trust Schools and Area Resource Bases will continue to ensure that the wellbeing, health and safety of pupils and staff remains the priority.
The Government paused shielding advice nationally from 31 March 2021. All clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) pupils and staff should attend their education setting unless they are one of the very small number of pupils or staff under paediatric or other specialist care and have been advised by their GP or clinician not to attend. Pupils or staff who live with someone who is CEV should continue to attend their education setting as normal.
Further Government guidance is expected for those staff and pupils that are clinically extreme vulnerable and we will update you all as soon as possible during the summer holiday period.
The Government is clear that SEN schools should be open. Therefore, all schools will open as planned in September and all pupils and students should attend their education setting. We will review guidance and share more information at the beginning of the Autumn term.
To confirm - Trust Schools and Area Resource Bases will be taking time to:
To provide reassurance, I have outlined the considerations, based on current guidance, that all Trusts Schools and Area Resource Bases are reviewing over the summer holiday period for the beginning of the Autumn Term 2021:
In specific circumstances:
Response to any infection:
Trust Schools and Area Resource Bases continue to liaise with Public Health England and to follow Government guidance. We anticipate guidance changing before the beginning of the Autumn Term and I will write to you again on the 3rd September.
There is a lot of national information and communication messages which can be confusing and there is a lot of misinformation. It is important that if you have any questions, concerns or queries, that you contact your school and the Headteacher will answer any questions and/or provide support. Please follow the usual procedures to report to school if your child will be absent.
Thank you for your ongoing support, patience and cooperation.
Yours sincerely
Guy Chappell
Director
The Special Partnership Trust
5 July 2021
Dear Parents,
We have been advised by Public Health England that there has been an assumed confirmed case of COVID-19 within Curnow Upper school.
We know that you may find this concerning but we are continuing to monitor the situation and are working closely with Public Health England. This letter is to inform you of the current situation and provide advice on how to support your child. Please be reassured that for most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.
The small number of children who have been in close contact with the individual who has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) have received a letter informing them that their child must stay at home for 10 days.
The school remains open and your child should continue to attend as normal if they remain well.
What to do if your child develops symptoms of COVID 19
If your child develops symptoms of COVID-19, they must not come to school and should remain at home for at least 10 days from the date when their symptoms appeared. Anyone with symptoms will be eligible for a PCR test (the normally available test type) and this can be arranged via https://www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test or by calling 119.
All other household members who remain well, must stay at home and not leave the house for 10 days. This includes anyone in your ‘Support Bubble’.
Further information is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection
The household isolation period includes the day the first person in your household’s symptoms started (or the day their test was taken if they did not have symptoms) and the next 10 full days. This means that if, for example, your 10 day isolation period starts on the 15th of the month, your isolation period ends at 23:59 hrs on the 25th and you can return to your normal routine.
Household members should not go to work, school or public areas and exercise should be taken within the home.
If you require help with buying groceries, other shopping or picking up medication, or walking a dog, you should ask friends or family. Alternatively, you can order your shopping online and medication by phone or online.
Household members staying at home for 10 days will greatly reduce the overall amount of infection the household could pass on to others in the community
If you are able, move any vulnerable individuals (such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions) out of your home, to stay with friends or family for the duration of the home isolation period.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of:
For most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.
If your child does develop symptoms, you can seek advice from the nhs.uk website at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/check-if-you-have-coronavirus-symptoms/. If you are concerned about your child’s symptoms, or they are worsening you can seek advice from NHS 111 at https://111.nhs.uk/ or by phoning 111.
How to stop COVID-19 spreading
There are things you can do to help reduce the risk of you and anyone you live with getting ill with COVID-19
Do
Further Information
Further information is available at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
Yours sincerely
Caroline Jewell
Headteacher
18 June 2021
Dear Parents,
We have been advised by Public Health England that there has been a confirmed case of COVID-19 within the school.
We know that you may find this concerning but we are continuing to monitor the situation and are working closely with Public Health England. This letter is to inform you of the current situation and provide advice on how to support your child. Please be reassured that for most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.
The small number of children who have been in close contact with the individual who has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) have received a letter informing them that their child must stay at home for 10 days.
The school remains open and your child should continue to attend as normal if they remain well.
What to do if your child develops symptoms of COVID 19
If your child develops symptoms of COVID-19, they must not come to school and should remain at home for at least 10 days from the date when their symptoms appeared. Anyone with symptoms will be eligible for a PCR test (the normally available test type) and this can be arranged via https://www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test or by calling 119.
All other household members who remain well, must stay at home and not leave the house for 10 days. This includes anyone in your ‘Support Bubble’.
Further information is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection
The household isolation period includes the day the first person in your household’s symptoms started (or the day their test was taken if they did not have symptoms) and the next 10 full days. This means that if, for example, your 10 day isolation period starts on the 15th of the month, your isolation period ends at 23:59 hrs on the 25th and you can return to your normal routine.
Household members should not go to work, school or public areas and exercise should be taken within the home.
If you require help with buying groceries, other shopping or picking up medication, or walking a dog, you should ask friends or family. Alternatively, you can order your shopping online and medication by phone or online.
Household members staying at home for 10 days will greatly reduce the overall amount of infection the household could pass on to others in the community
If you are able, move any vulnerable individuals (such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions) out of your home, to stay with friends or family for the duration of the home isolation period.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of:
For most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.
If your child does develop symptoms, you can seek advice from the nhs.uk website at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/check-if-you-have-coronavirus-symptoms/. If you are concerned about your child’s symptoms, or they are worsening you can seek advice from NHS 111 at https://111.nhs.uk/ or by phoning 111.
How to stop COVID-19 spreading
There are things you can do to help reduce the risk of you and anyone you live with getting ill with COVID-19
Do
Further Information
Further information is available at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
Yours sincerely
Caroline Jewell
Headteacher
17 June 2021
Dear Parents/Carers,
Covid- Update
I just wanted to write to update you on the current picture. I am sure you will be aware that we are seeing rising cases of Covid in Cornwall and this week we have seen an impact in school; we currently have a number of staff and one pupil self-isolating via the track and trace system. As a direct result of this we have unfortunately had to close one of our class bubbles in lower school for four school days due to staffing shortages. I need to reiterate that, at the time of writing this letter, we have not had any positive cases linked to staff or pupils.
In light of the current rising cases in our locality and the potential knock on in terms of potential increased risk and effect on staffing, we have made the difficult decision to cancel our Flambards trip next week, which affects our secondary students at Upper School. We are currently in discussions with the Rotary Club and Flambards in the hope that we might be able to re-schedule the trip for September and will let you know more details as soon as we can.
We will continue to monitor the situation and will, of course, keep you updated regarding any cases/impact of Covid. We are so disappointed to have to cancel a much-anticipated trip but we will continue to prioritise the safety of our students and staff.
If you have any questions, queries or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me.
Thank you for your continued support and patience.
Best wishes
Caroline Jewell
Head Teacher
Dear Parents / Carers
I hope that you are well and staying safe in these continued uncertain times. I wanted to thank you for your continued support and patience. I know that managing during lockdown has been particularly hard on our families and have been in awe of how well you have all coped, especially those who have been managing home learning all these weeks.
You will be aware that the government have now announced the return of all pupils on the 8th March and we look forward to welcoming all children back on this date. Attendance for pupils is mandatory on this date unless your child is ‘extremely clinically vulnerable’ and you have received a shielding letter for your child. By now you will have spoken with your child’s teacher regarding their return to school. If you have any concerns regarding your child returning to school, please do contact the school and we will help with any queries or concerns.
We will continue to follow Department for Education guidance, review our whole school risk assessment and update if necessary. Staff will continue to be tested twice a week and class ‘bubbles’ will remain in place. Visitors to the school will remain limited and we will continue to clean every classroom, communal space and high contact areas/surfaces (door handles etc.) throughout the school day. The risk assessment is published on the school website for you to access and read.
Again, if you have any questions or concerns about any aspect of this please do not hesitate to get in touch. I will keep you updated with any further information. We are very excited to see the majority of pupils back in school next week and are hoping for lots more sunshine as we welcome Spring!
Best wishes
Yours sincerely
Caroline Jewell
Head Teacher
Dear Parents / Carers & Staff
Covid-19 – Half term period arrangements
I wanted to draw your attention to the half term arrangements. As you know, Curnow School will be closed to students next week for half term (15th – 19th February). During the holiday period we have made arrangements should you need to contact the school following a member of your household displaying symptoms of Coronavirus or receiving a positive test result. Where a student or staff member tests positive for Coronavirus (COVID-19) having developed symptoms more than 48 hours since being in school, the school should not be contacted. In this circumstance, contact tracing instructions provided by NHS Test and Trace should be followed. For the first 6 days after teaching ends (12th – 18th February), if a student or staff member tests positive for Coronavirus (COVID-19), having developed symptoms within 48 hours of being in school, please contact the school on 07825 213079 or via email at trackandtrace@curnowschool.org.uk. We will assist in identifying close contacts in school and advising self-isolation as the individual may have been infectious whilst in school. The school staff member on call will access emails and telephone messages between 9.00 am and 12 noon each day between 12th – 18th February. Should there be a positive case, the school will contact you via telephone or text message to inform you of a close contact and whether you should self-isolate.
School staff are not on-call during the holiday period. Following the end of the 6 day period the school will not conduct any track or trace monitoring. Where students and staff are required to self-isolate due to contact with a positive case after the first 6 days following the end of term, the school does not need to be informed of their absence until the first day of the new term.
Please don’t hesitate to contact a member of the school senior leadership team, or myself, if you have any questions or queries.
Take care over the half term and thank you again for your patience and support.
Guy Chappell
Dear Parents/Carers,
I just wanted to write to you following our news this week regarding positive cases in school. I understand that this will be a worrying time for everyone in the school community and wanted to reassure you that we continue to work within our risk assessment, keeping all recommended restrictions in place to make the school sites as safe as is possible.
We had, of course, hoped to avoid any cases but, inevitably, with the rise in cases across Cornwall, we were always going to be at risk of this situation. Just to confirm that, as of this morning, we have three members of staff affected, two have had confirmed positive tests following PCR tests (those carried out at test stations and tested in a lab) and one has tested positive via the school ‘lateral flow’ test which needs to be confirmed via a PCR test. Of those three members of staff, one had clear potential symptoms which developed over the weekend and so followed the correct procedures by staying at home and getting tested. The other two staff did not have Covid symptoms and so their cases were only picked up through the schools testing programme. We will continue to keep you updated with any information.
I also wanted to explain the process we go through when we have a confirmed case. Once we have a confirmed positive case (or possible case via the lateral flow tests) we immediately seek advice from Public Health. If we need to close a bubble we will then isolate the bubble (so that the staff and pupils do not move to other areas in the school) and contact families to arrange for collection of the children. Staff within the bubble will stay until the pupils have been collected before leaving to isolate themselves (isolation period is currently 10 days from contact). Once all of the families directly affected by the class closure have been informed we will then send a text message to all staff and families to keep them updated of the situation.
Please feel free to contact me if you wish to discuss anything. Class teachers will also continue to contact you on a weekly basis.
Take good care.
Best wishes,
Caroline Jewell
Head Teacher